Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Mood Indigo" by William Matthews is a deeply evocative and melancholic poem that explores the pervasive and all-encompassing nature of a young woman's sorrow, likening it to the slow spread of indigo, a deep and rich blue associated with sadness and introspection. The poem uses rich imagery to convey the subtle and ubiquitous presence of this emotional state, as well as its inescapable and intrinsic connection to the woman's identity and surroundings.

The poem begins by describing various sensory experiences and settings from the woman's life. The "hayrick where her prickled brothers hid" and the "ash-blond dusty air" create a vivid rural scene, filled with tactile and olfactory details. These images are steeped in nostalgia, hinting at a simpler, yet emotionally complex, time. The mention of the well pump and the "glove of rust" suggests a rugged, perhaps outdated, lifestyle, where even the act of drawing water leaves a mark, symbolizing the subtle, enduring impact of her environment on her psyche.

The reference to "her tiny Philco with its cracked speaker" brings in a touch of domestic life, recalling old radio programs and the comforting yet isolating nature of such solitary listening experiences. Shows like "Nick Carter," "The Shadow," and "Sky King" evoke a bygone era, grounding the poem in a specific cultural context. This setting is further detailed with the "dress parade of clothes in her mothproofed closet," implying a life marked by careful preservation and perhaps a reluctance to move forward or change.

The woman's introspective and sensitive nature is emphasized by the "loosening bud of her body," signifying her coming-of-age and the burgeoning awareness of her own physical and emotional changes. The phrase "from hunger, as they say; and from reading" suggests a deep internal life, nourished by intellectual curiosity and a longing for something beyond the tangible.

The poem describes the pervasive nature of her melancholy, noting that "it came from everywhere" and "was always there." This omnipresence is likened to natural elements—dew that evaporates, dusk spreading in the sky, the sound of a lamb's bleat, and the gossip of crows—demonstrating how deeply intertwined her sadness is with the world around her. The sadness is described as something that "curdled with milk and stung / with nettles," suggesting a bitterness and discomfort that is both domestic and wild.

The sadness is personified, becoming a companion in her life, as present and tangible as a "dead pet," a "lost love," or a "baby sister blue and dead at birth." These references to loss and grief highlight the profound and varied sources of her sorrow. The sadness is also likened to a river that "purled and meandered and ran and ran," eventually merging with her, indicating how inextricably linked her identity has become with this emotional state.

The woman is described as retreating to her room, a space of solitude and isolation, only occasionally emerging to wander in the fields. The image of her walking "like a lithe blue rain" in the fields and ending up in the barn evokes a sense of ethereal detachment, as if she is both present and absent in her own life. The quiet closure of the screen door behind her, "with no more sound than / an envelope being sealed," reinforces the idea of her existence being a quiet, almost unnoticed, passage.

The poem concludes with a tender image of someone bringing her back from her wanderings, suggesting a community or family that cares for her, albeit from a distance. This act of retrieval underscores the theme of connection and disconnection, the way her sadness isolates her from others even as they continue to engage with her life.

"Mood Indigo" is a poignant exploration of a young woman's profound and pervasive sadness, expressed through rich, sensory imagery and deeply felt metaphors. The poem captures the quiet, persistent nature of melancholy and its ability to permeate every aspect of life, from the physical environment to the most intimate emotions. Matthews' use of indigo as a motif beautifully encapsulates the depth and complexity of this emotional state, making the poem a powerful meditation on the nature of sorrow and the human experience.

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